Public urged to change toothbrushes every three months

People should remember to change their toothbrush every three months to avoid potentially serious oral health problems, experts have advised.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, is concerned that many people fail to buy a new toothbrush regularly.

This is because old toothbrushes act as a breeding ground for bacteria which can harm not only the mouth, but other organs throughout the body.

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'Although most toothbrushes are used twice a day for months on end, they are rarely cleaned thoroughly and are often kept in warm, moist conditions, ideal for bacterial growth,' Dr Carter pointed out.

'The strongest argument to change your toothbrush regularly is to prevent re-infection following the flu or a cold. A dirty toothbrush can also be responsible for many ear, nose and throat infections.'

Meanwhile, Professor Robin Seymour, a periodontologist and spokesman for mouthwash brand Dentyl Active, said that parents should ensure that children brush their teeth correctly from an early age.

He explained: 'Once you brush your teeth in a certain way, if it is not the most effective way of brushing it is hard to break out of that practiced routine.'

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